Asthma Found To Be a Woman's Health Concern
The National Women's Health Information Center states that more than 30 million women in the US have asthma. And more women than men suffer from asthma, and have a much higher death rate.
Baseline data, prepared by the Center, for all five of the Healthy People 2010 asthma objectives targeted for women support the statement that asthma is a women's health issue.
And it is an issue for women of color. Although asthma is a problem for women among all races, African-American women have more asthma attacks and are more likely than Caucasian women to be hospitalized for asthma attacks and to die from asthma.
A new study shows that hormone fluctuations may explain why women have higher asthma rates than men, according to reports from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
"Women between the ages of 20 to 50 years are more than three times as likely as men to be hospitalized with asthma despite comparable spirometry," says Dr. Nancy K. Ostrom, of the University of California and the Allergy & Asthma Medical Group and Research Center in San Diego.
"Studies have demonstrated a relationship between asthma and the menstrual cycle, with 46 percent of women's hospital admissions perimenstrual, and up to 40 percent of women having premenstrual asthma symptoms," says Dr. Ostrom.
"As many as 8 percent of pregnant women have asthma," she says. "Women with asthma who are pregnant or are planning a pregnancy face unique concerns about controlling their asthma symptoms and regarding the safety of medications."
She added that smoking, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are other factors that may contribute to differences in asthma rates between women and men.
Dr. Joan Gluck of the Florida Center for Allergy and Asthma Care also notes the link between hormones and asthma in women.
"When we look at the reproductive phases of a woman's life cycle, we find in children under age 12, asthma is more common in boys than in girls," she says. "Around puberty the ratio changes, with asthma becoming more common in girls than in boys.
"Women with asthma experience more symptoms during their premenstrual and menstrual weeks with peak symptoms two to three days before menses," Dr Gluck continues. "Many are not aware of this pattern, and keeping a diary of their symptoms is very helpful."
Always consult your physician for more information.
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According to the National Women's Health Information Center, asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by episodes or attacks of inflammation and narrowing of small airways in response to asthma “triggers.”
Asthma attacks can vary from mild to life threatening.
Asthma attacks can involve:
According to the American Lung Association, because asthma symptoms are usually caused, or triggered, by a specific factor or combination of factors, an individual can help control asthma by understanding these triggers and limiting his or her exposure to the triggers.
Triggers may include:
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allergies to pollens, mold, pets, and other things in your environment
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air pollution such as tobacco smoke, high ozone levels, and traffic fumes
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emotions, including fear, crying, and laughing
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exercise, especially when it leads to overexertion or in cold weather
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household irritants, including dust, cleaning products, and perfume
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illnesses such as a cold or respiratory infection
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medications, including some over-the-counter pain relievers
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weather, particularly wind and cold air
Triggers vary widely among people with asthma, but there are a number of common ones.Talk to your physician about the possible triggers listed above, and any others you think might be making your (or your loved one's) asthma worse.
Always consult your physician for more information.
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